The Maravi Post

BLANTYRE—Malawi’s deputy minister of agriculture Ulemu Chilapondwa has warned businesspeople especially unscrupulous traders against buying farm produce below government minimum prices.

The tendency impoverishes farmers and the country’s economy, says the minister.

The minimum price for soya is K160 per kilogramme (kg), maize K60 per kg whereas polished groundnuts is K220 per kg.

Chilapondwa said government came up with minimum prices so that farmers benefit from their investments. He added that despite Malawi being a liberalized economy, traders should always empower farmers by purchasing crops at competitive prices.

Likewise, farmers union of Malawi (FUM) urged farmers not to take their produce to the market until prices are good.

“Our markets depend on demand and supply, but the onus is on farmers to be on guard and sell their crops at good prices,” says Felix Jumbe, FUM president.

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(c) The Maravi Post 2013

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